Italian industrial rooftop supplier Grondal srl developed a patented support system EGA for substructures of solar panels. pv Europe had the change to visit the company and take a roundtrip to see some of its installations.

A 200 kW PV rooftop installation of Stucchi using the EGA support system, On the right Grondal boss Guiseppe Engheben.

For example Stucchi, the European leader at the valve and vacuum pump production, established in Pagazzano near Bergamo relies on the EGA system. On the trapezoidal metal roof of a new building, a 200 kW PV system is attached in this way. The reason for the installation of the PV roof system is a statutory "solar obligation", which applies throughout Italy. New industrial and commercial buildings have to cover 40 to 80 % of their electricity or heat requirements via photovoltaics or solar thermal, private buildings by 50% and even more stringent requirements apply to public buildings. The regulation also applies to basic building requalification.

AMORTIZATION WITHIN FIVE TO SIX YEARS

At Stucchi, the solar power is used to cool the building down to a temperature of about 21 degrees Celsius. Without cooling, the temperature in the warehouses and production halls could climb up to 40 degrees on some hot days. "So far we are very satisfied. We expect amortization within five to six years, "says Stucci’s spokeswoman. Based on the good experience, the company plans to equip neighboring halls on the factory site with photovoltaics.

The EGA clamps are attached precisely on a 11,000 square meter industrial rooftop north of Milan.

The roof of a new factory hall of a boat high quality wood equipment manufacturer north of Milan also offers plenty of room for modules. "Yes, we had a lot to do," says Grondal boss Guiseppe Engheben, looking up. Seven Grondal installers equipped the more than 11,000 square meter trapezoidal roof with corrugated trapezoidal sheets and attached the EGA clamps at a precisely defined distance. Everything looks immaculate. Soon, the substructures will be assembled with around one megawatt of solar panels. The solar power will also be used to cool the production and storage area, which is currently being fully equipped

100 kW PV installation of Germo in Cormano.

The 100 kW PV system on the metal roof of the new headquarters of the disinfectant manufacturer Germo in Cormano, a suburb of Milan, is already fully assembled. The company also relied on the EGA mounting system.

LOOKING FOR COOPERATION PARTNERS

Up to now, Grondal's new, in-house start-up EGA has focused primarily on business in northern Italy. The EGA systems or, if desired, complete solar systems and metal industrial roofs are assembled by own installers. "In the field of commercial rooftops, we have a large market share in northern Italy," says Giuseppe proudly. Though the medium-sized company with currently around 40 employees wants to expand its solar business, especially in the direction of Germany, as well as other European regions. "We are currently exploring the markets and possible cooperation partners," says Giuseppe.

EGA: ERICA, GUISEPPE, ANDREA

In his spare time, the bustling entrepreneur has two passions, "family and good food", he says with a smile. His wife and his six-year-old son are also named after the EGA brand Erica, Guiseppe, Andrea. (HCN)